VIDEO: Duke star Grayson Allen picks up fourth technical foul of season after slamming ball down in frustration

It was the type of sequence that would frustrate any player. But frustration does not excuse a loss of self-control — especially for Grayson Allen, Duke's polarizing guard who's shown a propensity for overreaction during his electric yet dumbfounding college career.

Allen was called for another technical foul Wednesday at Barclays Center, where the Blue Devils kicked off their ACC Tournament with a 79-72 victory over Clemson. The 6-5 junior made a series of blunders before the outburst that drew his ACC-leading fourth tech of the season.

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First, after blowing a layup, Allen leapt for an offensive rebound but was whistled for a loose-ball foul. Next, on the ensuing defensive possession, Duke guard Luke Kennard missed a short jumper, and Allen once again crashed the glass with tenacity. Once again, he was whistled for a foul.

Following the second call, Allen grabbed the ball and slammed it to the ground while letting out a primal scream. The ball then slipped through Allen's fingers and bounced into the media seating courtside. That was all the referee needed to see. He positioned his hands into a T, blew his whistle and handed Allen the tech, which also served as the serial-tripper's third personal foul of the game.

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Allen was adamant he didn't say anything to official — even to receive an explanation. He also believes he doesn't get called for a technical if he catches the ball.

"I know I don't," Allen said after the game.

Allen — who's battled injuries all season, the latest of which is a sprained ankle he suffered Feb. 18 against Wake Forest — sat for the remainder of the first half. He played sparingly in the second half and finished scoreless for the first time since his freshman year. Allen's 12 minutes Wednesday afternoon are also the fewest since his rookie campaign. He took just four shots and added one rebound and an assist.

"I just need to play better," Allen said. "It's simple."

Mike Krzyzewski said the limited playing time was related to the injury, and not the technical.

"The injury is a huge part of it because he has not been able to really go after it in practice, and he's lost his timing, his rhythm," Coach K said. "It wasn't a good afternoon for him individually. Collectively, obviously, it's a great afternoon for us. When you don't practice at the speed and with the reps that you normally do, it affects your performance. And it has with him."

Grayson Allen has made a habit of getting called for technicals this season. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Krzyzewski then shrugged off the technical foul.

"Whatever they called, they called. They saw it," he said. "Kids get technicals."

Except Allen is far from your average kid. He's tripped an opposing player on at least three occasions in the last two seasons. The most recent tripping incident occurred Dec. 21. Allen was called for a technical foul on the play, and he subsequently served a one-game suspension handed down by Krzyzewski.

Many believed the suspension — which was originally indefinite — should have lasted longer. And Allen has done little to prove those individuals wrong with his continued flare-ups on the court. He received a technical Jan 28 against Wake Forest for jawing with Demon Deacons guard Bryant Crawford. He earned another technical this past Saturday for elbowing UNC's Brandon Robinson in the face on a drive.

Wednesday afternoon was just more of the same.

When asked after the win over Clemson whether he feels like he has "no margin for error" when it comes to his aggressive play, Allen said, "I think you'd be right to say that."

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Nonetheless, he doesn't feel any obligation to keep his emotions in check. So as we head into the Madness, be prepared for more Grayson Allen fireworks — as long as he gets a chance to play.

"I just got to keep playing hard, really. I don't worry about it," Allen said. "If it happens, it happens. That's why I came back in the second half and was still playing hard. It doesn't really matter to me."